Faith Driven Consumer, an organization connecting Christian consumers with faith-compatible companies, has launched the IStandWithPhil.com petition drive, which calls for The A&E Network to immediately reinstate Mr. Phil Robertson to its #1 hit show, Duck Dynasty. IStandWithPhil.com is garnering strong support from Faith Driven Consumers with its call for tolerance, fairness, and respect for differing viewpoints in America's rainbow of diversity.
"Simply put, Phil Robertson is being censored and punished for quoting the Bible, and A&E's treatment of him is punitive and highly discriminatory," said Chris Stone, founder of Faith Driven Consumer. "Everyday people will not stand for this, they know bullying and violation of religious freedom when they see it. A&E's actions are censoring Faith Driven Consumers and eliminating them from an entertainment choice that they have overwhelmingly supported."
IStandWithPhil.com is leading the charge in the call for fairness and equality as we defend the fundamental American right to free speech and tradition of tolerance.
The IStandWithPhil.com online petition drive cites the A&E network's "intolerant, discriminatory, and punitive treatment" of the Duck Dynasty star, noting that "A&E's position, which in your own words is 'championing' the gay and lesbian community...excludes the views of Faith Driven Consumers and effectively censors a legitimate viewpoint held by the majority of Americans." IStandWithPhil.com calls for respect for the millions of viewers of the show, and demands that the network immediately reinstate Mr. Robertson and "formally apologize to him, his family, and the millions of viewers who tune in every week, stand by him, and share his worldview."
The complete petition can be seen here: istandwithphil.com
The 46 million strong Faith Driven Consumer market segment, which spends 1.75 trillion dollars annually, is rallying in support of Mr. Robertson and is closely watching the network's response. In addition to breaking nearly every cable TV record and bringing in huge dollars for A&E, Duck Dynasty's product tie-ins are projected to bring in more than $400 million dollars in revenue by the end of 2013. There are more than 75 licensing deals in effect and more than 1,200 Robertson-related products currently available in stores nationwide this Christmas shopping season.
